Tensioned unrolling device for fabric rolls

ABSTRACT

A roll mounting and dispensing device for use in unrolling fabric rolls under controlled tension comprising support means having demountably attached thereto a pair of roll support units so adapted as to be inserted in the opposite ends of the roll core. Each roll support unit comprises a rotatable insert, a nonrotatable spindle supporting the insert and friction braking means in braking relation between the insert and the spindle. The braking tension on each of the support units is independently adjustable.

United States Patent McClure Oct. 21, 1975 [54] TENSIONEI) UNROLLINGDEVICE FOR 1,693,876 12/1928 Unruh 242/684 FABRIC ROLLS 2,445,080 7/1948Petskeyes 242/684 [75} Inventor: Herman W. McClure, Bartlesville,

Okla- Primary Examiner-Edward J. McCarthy [73] Assignee: PhillipsPetroleum Company,

Bartlesville, Okla. [57] ABSTRACT Filedi y 2, 1974 A roll mounting anddispensing device for use in un- [21 1 Appl NO: 466,309 rolling fabricrolls under controlled tension comprising support means havingdemountably attached thereto a pair of roll support units so adapted asto be inserted 242/754; 242/684; 242/86-52 in the opposite ends of theroll core. Each roll support "1 Cl B651 23/16; 86511 unit comprises arotatable insert, a non-rotatable spin- Fleld 01' Search dle supportingthe insert and friction braking means in 242/865 R, 86.52, 86-64, 36- 99braking relation between the insert and the spindle.

The braking tension on each of the support units is in- 1 ReferencesCited dependently adjustable.

UNITED STATES PATENTS Lintz 242/8652 5 Claims, 4 Drawing Figures US.Patent 001.21, 1975 Sheet1of3 3,913,854

FIG. I

U.S. Patent 0m. 21, 1975 Sheet 2 of3 3,913,854

US. Patent 0a. 21, 1975 Sheet3of3 3,913,854

FIG. 4

TENSIONED UNROLLING DEVICE FOR FABRIC ROLLS The present inventionrelates to a fabric unrolling device.

Laminate systems such as those used as pond and ditch liners, roofing,roadbed paving and the like, are well known. in one such system, anasphaltic coating is applied to the surface to be coated, a sheetmaterial is laid down over the asphaltic coating and a second asphalticcoating is applied over the sheet material.

The sheet materials commonly used in such laminate systems include wovenfibrous fabric materials, woven wire mesh, felt paper, nonwovenpolymeric fabric materials and the like. Such sheet materials aresupplied in rolls of varying length and width. Of particular interestare nonwoven sheet materials formed from polypropylene fibers.

It is highly desirable that the sheet material be applied to theasphaltic undercoat uniformly and under at least a minimal longitudinaltension. Application of the sheet material leaves no room for error; itis virtually impossible to take it up and then reapply the material onceit has been applied. The manual application methods presently in use areunsatisfactory. in one such method the roll of sheet material is placedover the asphaltic undercoat then unrolled while attempting to maintainproper unrolling alignment and, at the same time, keep the unrolledmaterial under tension. In another method the' sheet material isunrolled, stretched tight and then laid in place. Obviously, neithermethod provides a uniform, tensioned application of the sheet material.

It is an object of this invention to provide an apparatus for unrollingfabric rolls under controlled tension. Other objects and advantages ofthis invention will be apparent from the following description andaccompanying drawings, of which:

HO. 1 is an exploded view of a roll supporting unit;

HO. 2 is a side view showing the assembled braking means of a rollsupporting unit;

FIG. 3 is an opposite side view of the braking means of a rollsupporting unit showing the adjusting means therefor, and

FIG. 4 is a perspective illustrating the unrolling apparatus of thisinvention mounted on a pickup truck.

According to the present invention there is provided a roll supportingunit for use in unrolling rolls of fabric or other materials undercontrolled tension which comprises, in combination, a non-rotatablespindle adapted for mounting to a support means, a rotatable insertsupported by the spindle and so adapted as to be inserted into the endof a roll core, and friction braking means in braking relation betweenthe insert and the spindle to prevent free spinning of the insert and aroll of fabric supported thereby.

in another embodiment of this invention there is pro vided a rollmounting and dispensing device for use in unrolling fabric rolls undercontrolled tension which comprises, in combination, support means havingdemountably attached thereto a pair of roll supporting units so adaptedas to be inserted in the opposite ends of the core ofa fabric roll.

A distinctive feature of this invention is that a roll support unitcomprising braking means is used at each end of the fabric roll, thusallowing for independent control of the unrolling tension on each sideof the fab- Referring now to the drawings, FIG. 1 shows a rollsupporting unit which comprises a non-rotatable spindle 10 adapted formounting to a support means, a rotatable insert 26 and friction brakingmeans 38.

Spindle 10 includes a first end portion 12 and a second end portion 14.First end portion 12 is provided with means 16 to secure spindle 10 to afirst support means, not shown, to prevent rotation of spindle 10 aboutsuch support means. First end portion 12 is further provided with asocket l8 perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of spindle l0 and soadapted as to receive an optional second support means. First endportion 12 is further provided with a radial flange 20 to which thenon-rotatable portion of braking means 38 is secured. Second end portion14 of spindle 10 has a smooth cylindrical outer surface for mountinginsert 26 thereon for rotation thereabout. Second end portion 14 isgenerally of a slightly smaller diameter than first end portion 12 inorder to provide a shoulder upon which rests bearing support 22, whichis keyed to spindle 10 to prevent rotation thereabout. In associationwith hearing support 22 is a radial bearing 24 which, when the unit isassembled, acts to prevent longitudinal travel of insert 26 in thedirection of first end portion 12.

Insert 26 includes a sleeve 28, having a smooth cylindrical innersurface, radial flange 30 and core engaging splines 32 so adapted as tobe inserted into the end of a roll core. In the embodiment shown, flange30 and splines 32 are welded to sleeve 28. Insert 22 is maintained inportion about spindle 10 by radial bearing 24 and retainer ring 34 whichis mounted in groove 36 of spindle 10.

In another embodiment of this invention, insert 26 has an outer surfaceso adapted as to be engageable by the core of a fabric roll.

in yet another embodiment of this invention, the insert 26 has a taperedouter surface.

In a further embodiment of this invention, the insert 26 has a taperedouter surface having positioned thereon a plurality of longitudinalsplines for gripping the roll core.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the braking means 38 includes a stationarybacking plate 40 which is secured to flange 20 on spindle 10. Brakeshoes 42 and 44 are supported by backing plate 40 and include linnings46 and 48, rim portions 50 and 52 to which the linings are respectivelyattached and web portions 54 and 56 which support the rim portions.Fixed abutment 58 is attached to backing plate 40 and is engaged by theadjacent ends of brake shoes 42 and 44. Retaining spring 60 is securedto the webs 54 and 56 of brake shoes 42 and 44 respectively and holdsthe brake shoes in engagement with the fixed abutment 58.

The opposite adjacent ends of the webs 54 and 56 of brake shoes 42 and44, respectively, engage expansion lug 62. Expansion lug 62 is pivotablysupported by backing plate 40 and is attached to lever 64. Retractingspring 66 is secured to the webs of brake shoes 42 and 44 and holds thebrake shoes in engagement with expansion lug 62.

The brake drum 68 is attached to radial flange 30 of insert 26.

In another embodiment of this invention, brake drum 68 can be secured,by suitable means, to sleeve 28 of insert 26, with splines 32 attachedto the brake drum 68 and sleeve 28.

As shown in FIGS. l and 3, the braking forceof braking means 38 isadjusted by adjusting means which includes lever 64, coupling 70,threaded rod 72, rod guide 74, washing 76, spring 78 and adjusting knob80. Rod guide 74 is pivotably supported by backing plate 40. Alsoincluded is an indicator 82 which provides some measure of thefrictional braking force of brake shoes 42 and 44 against the innerbraking surface of brake drum 68. Protective guard 84 generallysurrounds the exposed portions of the adjusting means.

In a presently preferred embodiment a sleeve bearing material isinterposed between the smooth outer surface of the second end portion 14of spindle and the inner surface of sleeve 28 of insert 26.

in another embodiment of this invention, braking means 38 includes aradial braking element which is in braking relation with flange 30 ofinsert 26, a nonrotatable member which is in braking relation with thebraking element and is adjustable longitudinally toward and away frominsert 26 and adjusting means for applying a braking force to theadjustable member.

In FIG. 4, the unrolling device of the present invention is shownmounted on the front of a pickup truck. The truck-mounted deviceincludes frame 86 which is generally adapted to mount the variouscomponents of the truck-mounted device, coupling means 88 and 90 fordemountably coupling the unrolling device to the truck, roll supportingunits 92 and support means 94, and brush units 96. Each of the variouscomponents is mounted to frame 86 by mounting means 98; only one suchmeans 98 is indicated inasmuch as all such means are generally the same.Each mounting means 98 includes means for clamping mounting means 98 toframe 86. All such mounting means 98 are adjustable laterally.

In operation, a roll of fabric is positioned between roll supportingunits 92. Sufficient fabric is unrolled to permit passage beneathbrushes 96. The truck is moved forward until the end of the fabric isunderneath the front wheels of the truck. The desired unrolling tensionis set on each roll supporting unit. The truck then moves forward,unrolling the fabric under controlled tension. It is to be understoodthat the surface to which the laminate system is being applied haspreviously been coated with a suitable mastic, such as an asphalt. Asthe truck moves forward and the fabric unrolls under controlled tension,the fabric is brought into intimate contact with the mastic coating bybrushes 96. One advantage of the present invention is that the tensionon each end of the fabric roll is independently adjustable. By adjustingthe tension so that there is a difference in tension at each end of thefabric roll, it is possible to lay the fabric in a curved path.

The unrolling device of the present invention can also be used in ahand-held mode by mounting an L- shaped handle in socket 18 of spindleII).

It will be evident to those skilled in the art that variousmodifications of this invention can be made, or followed, in the lightof the foregoing disclosure and discussion, without departing from thespirit or scope thereof.

What is claimed is:

l. A roll supporting unit for use in unrolling rolls under controlledtension comprising a rotatable insert presenting an outer surfaceengageable by the core of said roll, a non-rotatable spindle supportingsaid insert, and friction braking means in braking relation between saidinsert and said spindle to prevent free spinning of said insert and aroll supported thereby; wherein said insert comprises a sleeve having asmooth cylindrical inner surface, a radial flange attached to saidsleeve at one end thereof, and longitudinal tapered splines attached tosaid sleeve and said flange, said insert being so adapted as to beinserted into said roll core; wherein said spindle is so adapted as tobe closely, though slidably, received about a support means, saidspindle comprising a first end portion and a second end portion, saidfirst end portion having means for attaching said spindle to saidsupport means, a flange for attaching thereto the stationary portion ofsaid braking means, and a bearing surface for preventing longitudinaltravel of said insert in the direction of said first end portion; saidsecond end portion having a smooth cylindrical outer surface andretaining means positioned thereon to prevent longitudinal travel ofsaid insert in the direction of said second end portion; and whereinsaid braking means comprises an expanding shoe drumbrake device,comprising in combination a brake drum, brake shoes and a backing plate,said drum of said brake device being attached to said insert and thestationary backing plate of said brake device being attached to saidspindle, said backing plate having mounted thereon said brake shoes andmeans for adjusting the braking force of said brake shoes against theinner braking surface of said brake drum.

2. The unit of claim 1 further comprising a sleeve bearing between saidinsert and said spindle.

3. A roll mounting and dispensing device for use in unrolling rollsunder controlled tension comprising support means having demountablyattached thereto a pair of roll supporting units so adapted as to beinserted in the opposite ends of the core ofsaid roll, each of saidsupporting units comprising a rotatable insert presenting an outersurface engageable by the core of said roll, a non-rotatable spindlesupporting said insert, and friction braking means in braking relationbetween said insert and said spindle to prevent free spinning of saidinsert and a fabric roll supported thereby, wherein the braking force oneach of said roll supporting units is independently adjustable.

4. The device of claim 3 further comprising, in combination, a frame,brush units, coupling means for demountably coupling said frame to amotor vehicle and mounting means for mounting said roll holding anddispensing device and said brush units to said frame, wherein each ofsaid roll holding and dispensing device and said brush units isindependently adjustable along said frame and wherein the braking forceon each of said roll supporting units of said roll holding anddispensing device is independently adjustable.

5. The device of claim 8 wherein said insert comprises a sleeve having asmooth cylindrical inner surface, a radial flange attached to saidsleeve at one end thereof and longitudinal tapered splines attached tosaid sleeve and said flange, said insert being so adapted as to beinserted into said roll core; and wherein said spindle is so adapted asto be closely, though slidably, received about a support means, saidspindle comprising a first end portion and a second end portion, saidfirst end portion having means for attaching said spindle to saidsupport means, a radial flange for attaching thereto the stationaryportion of a braking means, and a bearing surface for preventinglongitudinal travel of .said insert in the direction of said first endportion, said insert and the stationary backing plate of said brakedevice being attached to said radial flange of said spindle, saidbacking plate having mounted thereon brake shoes and means for adjustingthe braking force of said brake shoes against the inner braking surfaceof said brake drum.

I I i It UNITED STATES PATENT AND TRADEMARK OFFICE CERTIFICATE OFCORRECTION PATENT NO. 1 3 ,913 ,85

DATED I October 21, 1975 r v 5 Herman w. McClure It is certified thaterror appears in'the above-identified patent and that said LettersPatent are hereby corrected as shown below:

Column claim 5, line 5h, claim "8" should read Signed and Scaled thistwenty-fourth D3) Of February 1976 [SEAL] Arrest:

RUTH C. MASON C. MARSHALL DANN Arresting Officer ('mnmissimwr of Parentsand Trademarks

1. A roll supporting unit for use in unrolling rolls under controlledtension comprising a rotatable insert presenting an outer surfaceengageable by the core of said roll, a non-rotatable spindle supportingsaid insert, and friction braking means in braking relation between saidinsert and said spindle to prevent free spinning of said insert and aroll supported thereby; wherein said insert comprises a sleeve having asmooth cylindrical inner surface, a radial flange attached to saidsleeve at one end thereof, and longitudinal tapered splines attached tosaid sleeve and said flange, said insert being so adapted as to beinserted into said roll core; wherein said spindle is so adapted as tobe closely, though slidably, received about a support means, saidspindle comprising a first end portion and a second end portion, saidfirst end portion having means for attaching said spindle to saidsupport means, a flange for attaching thereto the stationary portion ofsaid braking means, and a bearing surface for preventing longitudinaltravel of said insert in the direction of said first end portion; saidsecond end portion having a smooth cylindrical outer surface andretaining means positioned thereon to prevent longitudinal travel ofsaid insErt in the direction of said second end portion; and whereinsaid braking means comprises an expanding shoe drum-brake device,comprising in combination a brake drum, brake shoes and a backing plate,said drum of said brake device being attached to said insert and thestationary backing plate of said brake device being attached to saidspindle, said backing plate having mounted thereon said brake shoes andmeans for adjusting the braking force of said brake shoes against theinner braking surface of said brake drum.
 2. The unit of claim 1 furthercomprising a sleeve bearing between said insert and said spindle.
 3. Aroll mounting and dispensing device for use in unrolling rolls undercontrolled tension comprising support means having demountably attachedthereto a pair of roll supporting units so adapted as to be inserted inthe opposite ends of the core of said roll, each of said supportingunits comprising a rotatable insert presenting an outer surfaceengageable by the core of said roll, a non-rotatable spindle supportingsaid insert, and friction braking means in braking relation between saidinsert and said spindle to prevent free spinning of said insert and afabric roll supported thereby, wherein the braking force on each of saidroll supporting units is independently adjustable.
 4. The device ofclaim 3 further comprising, in combination, a frame, brush units,coupling means for demountably coupling said frame to a motor vehicleand mounting means for mounting said roll holding and dispensing deviceand said brush units to said frame, wherein each of said roll holdingand dispensing device and said brush units is independently adjustablealong said frame and wherein the braking force on each of said rollsupporting units of said roll holding and dispensing device isindependently adjustable.
 5. The device of claim 8 wherein said insertcomprises a sleeve having a smooth cylindrical inner surface, a radialflange attached to said sleeve at one end thereof and longitudinaltapered splines attached to said sleeve and said flange, said insertbeing so adapted as to be inserted into said roll core; and wherein saidspindle is so adapted as to be closely, though slidably, received abouta support means, said spindle comprising a first end portion and asecond end portion, said first end portion having means for attachingsaid spindle to said support means, a radial flange for attachingthereto the stationary portion of a braking means, and a bearing surfacefor preventing longitudinal travel of said insert in the direction ofsaid first end portion, said second end portion having a smoothcylindrical outer surface and a groove at the outer end thereof formounting a retaining ring to prevent longitudinal travel of said insertin the direction of said second end portion; and wherein said brakingmeans comprises an expanding shoe drum-brake device, the drum of saidbrake device being attached to said radial flange of said insert and thestationary backing plate of said brake device being attached to saidradial flange of said spindle, said backing plate having mounted thereonbrake shoes and means for adjusting the braking force of said brakeshoes against the inner braking surface of said brake drum.